DeVere 504 Question

youdogsgit · Aug 13, 2009

I'm looking at a used DeVere 504 enlarger and am new to the enlarger market and not sure what they are worth these days. I've not seen it, but the owner indicates that it has a color head, condensers for medium format and 4x5 and is in good shape and functional. He has an extra bulb for it, but doesn't sound like it comes with any lenses, negative holders, etc.

He's asking $800 for it. I've heard that these are very good enlargers, but have no idea how they compare with a D2 or other enlargers I've been looking at for substantially less money.

Any help is much appreciated.

DAP · Aug 13, 2009

That seems high to me. In the States, the few that I have seen sold tend to go between $250 and $600 for a complete enlarger (I personally would be willing to pay a premium for a devere). Obviously condition plays into the equation. The thing that worries me the most is the lack of negative carriers or lens boards (I wouldn't worry too much about the lenses themselves...enlarger lenses are a dime a dozen in the current market). Depending on where you live it could be difficult to find the parts you need at a reasonable price (in the US, DeVere enlarging equipment is pretty darn rare - you would probably have to order the parts from a dealer in Canada or the UK, pay top dollar, and have them shipped internationally...or have them custom machined locally. If you are in the UK finding them would be MUCH easier). Personally, I wouldn't spend more than $250 for an incomplete Devere (taking into account the PITA factor of locating parts).

Peter De Smidt · Aug 13, 2009

About 6 or 7 years ago, I paid $750 for 1986ish floor standing 504 in excellent condition, with negative carrier, inserts, lens boards, color head... So he seems very high. It's a much better enlarger--sturdier, easier to align, easier to make big prints..--than an Omega.

DAP · Aug 13, 2009

Peter De Smidt said:
About 6 or 7 years ago, I paid $750 for 1986ish floor standing 504 in excellent condition, with negative carrier, inserts, lens boards, color head... So he seems very high. It's a much better enlarger--sturdier, easier to align, easier to make big prints..--than an Omega.

Hey...A fellow Wisconsinite! With a DeVere no less (I am jealous!)

youdogsgit · Aug 13, 2009

Thank you!

For the replies so far. I'm not even sure what year the enlarger is, but this gives me some good reference. I'm checking to see if it comes with any negative carriers and lens boards, but it still sounds high for this market.

They do appear to be great enlargers though...

Uncle Bill · Aug 13, 2009

Another Devere 504 user here Canada, I have the table top model with the condenser head. It's a great enlarger, been printing 35mm on it for two years now. However I don't have the 120mm crystal and the negative mask for 6x6. So even in a Commonwealth country I know I am on a quest for the holy grail.

Just make sure it has everything because this is the Aston Martin of enlargers and it will be the equivalent of owning an Aston Martin in say South Dakota.

youdogsgit · Aug 13, 2009

I was wrong

the enlarger does come with negative carriers and lens boards. Sounds like it's in working order, the condensers are in good shape, it has a timer and an extra bulb.

Question is whether $800 is too high. It's certainly out of my budget. I wasn't anticipating spending more than $500 for a good enlarger...

Thanks again

Peter De Smidt · Aug 13, 2009

Personally, I think it's too high. $500 would be more reasonable, but still high. Is the timer the standard De Vere one?

CGross · Aug 13, 2009

I agree, 800 is high. I got a newer 504 floor model, Dichromat 500w Head & Transtab with universal timer, several lens boards, light boxes, all formats of neg carriers, all in perfect shape for $250 and that was 2 years ago. They are great enlargers. There are a 250w 1 bulb and a 500w 2 bulb color head models. If you get one do make sure it comes with at least one of these: light box, neg carrier, and a lens board. You can get these on the used market but they are not too frequent. You can also find parts at khbphotografix in Toronto and Odyssey in the UK. But plan to pay a premium for them.

If its a floor model make sure you have some space!!! They are huge and stand tall. You need at least an 8ft ceiling.

The best feature to me are the neg and lens stage controls that are in the perfect place!

youdogsgit · Aug 13, 2009

Thanks everyone. I've made a counter offer to the seller based on the good advice I've received. He has it listed on craigslist for $1 and says he wants to see it go to a good home and asks for offers, but turns out he won't take less than $600 for it, which is probably fair, but his ad is a bit misleading.

DAP · Aug 14, 2009

Uncle Bill said:
Just make sure it has everything because this is the Aston Martin of enlargers and it will be the equivalent of owning an Aston Martin in say South Dakota.

Well said! I have toyed with the idea of buying a DeVere on numerous occasions, but have always held off due to the parts issue. Omegas and Beselers may be a notch below the DeVere enlargers, but there is something to be said for the fact that I could obtain almost any replacement part or accessory I needed on the second hand market for either brand in a matter of a week or two.

DAP · Aug 14, 2009

youdogsgit said:
Thanks everyone. I've made a counter offer to the seller based on the good advice I've received. He has it listed on craigslist for $1 and says he wants to see it go to a good home and asks for offers, but turns out he won't take less than $600 for it, which is probably fair, but his ad is a bit misleading.

Well...$600 is on the high end, but if it is in better than average shape and "complete" it is not entirely out of line. Lets face it, even after digital moved in and caused the prices for darkroom equipment to crash, unique quality equipment still brings premium prices (and, from what I have heard, a DeVere falls into that "quality" category).

Good luck with the counter offer!

snallan · Aug 14, 2009

$600 isn't too high for a De Vere, if it is in good condition, and has a good set of negative carriers. From your description it sounds as if it comes with two heads - a colour head, and the Varicon B&W head. If so the price is getting reasonable.

On the other hand, I would try and hold to your $500 limit, as that is a decent price for a 504, and it will take some moving. :^)

BTW is it floor-standing, bench, or wall-mounting?

eclarke · Aug 14, 2009

youdogsgit said:
I'm looking at a used DeVere 504 enlarger and am new to the enlarger market and not sure what they are worth these days. I've not seen it, but the owner indicates that it has a color head, condensers for medium format and 4x5 and is in good shape and functional. He has an extra bulb for it, but doesn't sound like it comes with any lenses, negative holders, etc.

He's asking $800 for it. I've heard that these are very good enlargers, but have no idea how they compare with a D2 or other enlargers I've been looking at for substantially less money.

Any help is much appreciated.

Just bought one last night, mint condition with mixing boxes, carriers and lensboards and an Ilford multigrade head...$50.00...Evan Clarke

DAP · Aug 14, 2009

eclarke said:
Just bought one last night, mint condition with mixing boxes, carriers and lensboards and an Ilford multigrade head...$50.00...Evan Clarke

Now that makes me Jealous

I love those ilford multigrade heads - it is one of the few items I have in my darkroom that I would gladly pay a premium for.

eclarke · Aug 14, 2009

DAP said:
Now that makes me Jealous

I love those ilford multigrade heads - it is one of the few items I have in my darkroom that I would gladly pay a premium for.

The man who sold it to me had 10 various enlargers for sale and said his darkroom in the new house was tiny. He thought I was probably the only person in Milwaukee who would show any interest in the DeVere and he just could not store the stuff any more...EC

photoalex · May 14, 2011

Looking for Devere 504

Hi,
I been looking for years to find a Devere 504 enlarger with no luck. Do you have one for sale or do you know where I can find one ?

I live in Gatineau, Quebec Canada.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Alex

Martin Aislabie · May 17, 2011

Try putting an advert in the APUG Classifieds

You never know - also E-Bay may have the occasional one

Good luck

Martin

DeVere 504 Question

CGross

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